A property crime charge in Concord can follow you long after the case ends. Our Concord property crimes lawyers at The Olsinski Law Firm defend people accused of larceny, shoplifting, breaking or entering, burglary, trespassing, and damage to property throughout Cabarrus County. Whether you were arrested last night or received a citation weeks ago, the decisions you make now shape what the prosecution can prove.
Our team reviews the stop, the search, the property's claimed value, and the evidence supporting every element of the charge. Call The Olsinski Law Firm at 704-405-2580 to discuss your case with a Concord property crimes lawyer.
Property crime cases turn on details that are easy to overlook. Value, intent, and authorization decide whether an allegation becomes a Class 3 misdemeanor or a Class H felony.
Criminal defense is a core part of our practice, alongside theft crimes, drug charges, DWI, assault, and violent crimes. Our attorneys are members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
North Carolina does not group property offenses under a single statute. These charges appear across Chapter 14 of the General Statutes, and each one carries its own elements and offense class.
Larceny is the taking and carrying away of another person's property without consent and with intent to deprive the owner of it permanently. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-72, larceny of goods worth more than $1,000 is a Class H felony. Larceny of property valued at $1,000 or less is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Value is not the only trigger. The same statute makes larceny a felony regardless of value when:
Receiving or possessing stolen goods worth more than $1,000, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe they are stolen, is also a Class H felony.
Concealing store merchandise without paying is charged under N.C.G.S. § 14-72.1. A first offense is a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a suspended term requires at least 24 hours of community service. A second offense within three years is a Class 2 misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent offense within five years is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Larger retail theft allegations are charged separately as organized retail theft. That offense is a Class H felony when the value exceeds $1,500 aggregated over 90 days, and the class rises as the total value increases.
N.C.G.S. § 14-54 governs breaking or entering a building. Doing so with intent to commit a felony or larceny is a Class H felony, while wrongfully breaking or entering without that intent is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The statute broadly defines a building to include dwellings, uninhabited houses, and structures under construction.
Burglary is a separate and more serious charge. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-52, first degree burglary is a Class D felony and second degree burglary is a Class G felony.
Vehicle break-ins are charged under N.C.G.S. § 14-56. Breaking or entering a motor vehicle with intent to commit a felony or larceny is a Class I felony. That charge rises to a Class H felony once the value of the goods involved exceeds $1,500.
Damage charges often follow disputes between neighbors, tenants, roommates, and former partners. Willful and wanton injury to personal property is a Class 2 misdemeanor under N.C.G.S. § 14-160, and it becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor when the damage exceeds $200.
Damage to real property falls under N.C.G.S. § 14-127. That offense is generally a Class 1 misdemeanor, and damage to residential property valued at $1,000 or more is a Class I felony.
First-degree trespass applies when a person enters or remains on enclosed premises or inside a building without authorization. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-159.12, the base offense is a Class 2 misdemeanor, with felony enhancements for certain utility, energy, agricultural, and wastewater facilities.
Second-degree trespass covers entering or remaining after notice not to enter, or on posted premises. N.C.G.S. § 14-159.13 makes that a Class 3 misdemeanor, and a Class 2 misdemeanor when it occurs on the curtilage of a dwelling between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
North Carolina uses structured sentencing. The offense class sets the sentencing range, and prior convictions move a defendant into a higher sentencing level.
Maximum terms under the misdemeanor punishment chart depend on the class and the number of prior convictions:
Many misdemeanor property sentences are suspended in favor of probation, community service, and restitution. That result is never automatic.
Felony sentences follow the felony punishment chart. Presumptive minimum ranges climb with prior record level:
Some Class H and Class I sentences may be served on supervised probation rather than in prison. The options available depend on the prior record level and the specific allegations.
A conviction involving dishonesty carries weight well beyond the courtroom. Employers, landlords, and licensing boards treat theft and damage convictions differently.
Common consequences include:
North Carolina permits expunction of some nonviolent convictions under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5. Class A through G felonies and Class A1 misdemeanors are not eligible, and offenses that include assault as an element are excluded.
Waiting periods also apply. A single nonviolent misdemeanor generally requires 3 years after the conviction or completion of the sentence; multiple misdemeanors require 7 years; and one nonviolent felony generally requires 10 years.
Every property charge has elements the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Our defense work targets those elements directly.
The hours after an arrest matter. Several practical steps protect your options:
That depends on value and circumstances. Larceny of goods worth more than $1,000 is a Class H felony, and larceny of $1,000 or less is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Certain factors, including taking property from a person or having four prior larceny convictions, make the charge a felony regardless of value.
Burglary requires breaking the dwelling or sleeping apartment of another with intent to commit a felony or larceny inside. Whether the home was occupied at the time distinguishes first-degree from second-degree burglary. Breaking or entering under N.C.G.S. § 14-54 applies to buildings generally and carries lower offense classes.
A dismissal is possible in some cases, though no attorney can promise that result. Outcomes turn on the evidence, your prior record, the store's cooperation, and the prosecutor's assessment. Our team reviews whether the State can prove concealment and intent before advising you.
Restitution is common in property cases where an owner documented a loss. Courts may order it as part of probation or a suspended sentence. We review the claimed loss amount because records do not always support the State's figure.
Some convictions can be. Nonviolent misdemeanors and Class H and Class I felonies may qualify under N.C.G.S. § 15A-145.5, while Class A through G felonies and Class A1 misdemeanors do not. Waiting periods range from three years for a single misdemeanor to 10 years or more for a felony.
A misdemeanor conviction still creates a permanent criminal record that employers can find. Theft and damage convictions are considered offenses of dishonesty in hiring decisions. Our attorneys handle misdemeanor property charges in Cabarrus County and explain how a conviction could affect your record.
If you are facing larceny, shoplifting, breaking or entering, burglary, trespassing, or property damage charges, the sooner we review the evidence, the more options you may have. Our Concord property crimes lawyers at The Olsinski Law Firm defend clients throughout Cabarrus County from our office at 67 Cabarrus Ave W in Concord.
Call The Olsinski Law Firm at 704-405-2580 to schedule a case evaluation with a Concord property crimes lawyer. We will explain the charge, the possible penalties, and the defense options that apply to your situation.
Mr. Olsinski founded his criminal defense practice in Charlotte, NC, in January 2010. He has successfully defended cases ranging from B1 Felony First Degree Sex Offenses/First Degree Murder to Misdemeanor marijuana charges.
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